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Prepare Your Boat for the Upcoming 2022 Season With This Essential Checklist
One of the major benefits of living in California is that you’re always close to the water. For boat owners, this benefit is tenfold. But before you can launch your boat for summer, there are a few things you need to do first.
Take a look at this quick list of necessary steps you need to prepare your boat for the summer, and find out what essential marine audio and lighting upgrades you need to make this the best time on your boat yet.
Update Your Registration and Boater Card
We know this may seem a little obvious, but you’d be surprised how often boat owners in California forget to renew their registration. Take from us, there’s nothing worse than getting ready to sail off into the sunset, then discovering your boat registration has lapsed.
Before you even start preparing your boat for the water, make sure your registration is up-to-date, and you have proof of your lifetime California Boater Card, if you are 35 years of age or younger.
Keep in mind that all boat operators will be required to get a certified Boater Card in California by January 1st, 2025, no matter their age.
Marine Audio Upgrades
Another item you should check off your list before your boat hits the water is a marine audio upgrade.
Premium boat stereo systems come with major perks like speakers that optimize sound for open-air environments, and the chance to stream your favorite sports games and music through your marine audio.
However, a boat stereo system could take a day or two to install, depending on the size, model, and electrical components of your boat, which means you need to schedule your marine audio upgrade before you take your boat on the water.
Gather the Necessary Safety Equipment
After you’ve updated your California Boater registration and scheduled an installation for your new marine audio system at Stereo Depot, take the time to gather and organize safety gear for your boat. Not sure what you need?
Check out this quick list of boat safety essentials:
Life jackets and wearable personal flotation devices
Ring buoy or other throwable floatation device
Fire extinguisher
Flares and nighttime signals
Sound signaling devices like a fixed horn
Medical kits for cuts, scrapes, seasickness or minor emergencies
Heavy-duty flashlight
Skier or diver flag
Device for weather updates
Stereo Depot sells a lot more than marine, motorcycle, and car audio. We also sell automotive and marine safety solutions, too! For instance, you can light up the night with the Scosche 400 AMP PowerBank Jump Starter and LED Flashlight. The power bank can hold a charge for an incredible six months, while the flashlight bursts through the dark with 1,000 lumens.
Perform a Battery, Lights, and Accessories Check
The easiest way to perform a visual inspection of your boat is by simply cleaning it. As you scrub and wipe your way through the dust and grime that's settled on your boat during cooler California months, look for cracks, scratches, and hull damage that could pose safety issues.
If you find anything concerning, make sure you take your boat to a professional shipwright for repair. They are the only people who can ensure your boat is in top shape to take on the tide safely. When you perform your own boat repair, you might make an expensive and dangerous mistake.
Plus, a professional shipwright can maintain your boat engine, drain old fuel left in the tank from last summer, change the oil, and fire up your motor to see if everything works optimally.
Check Your Marine Lighting and Schedule Upgrades
Are you a big fan of fishing at night? Then you need to make sure your boat lights are working. Not only are marine lights important for your safety, they need to be in working order for you to operate your boat legally.
The best marine lighting features LED technology, because they ensure the longevity of your boat’s lighting with over 35,000 hours of operation on average. Plus, they are compact and durable, which makes them perfect for small boats that don’t have a lot of space.
At Stereo Depot, we have a variety of Marine lighting options for your boat. We offer deck lighting, LED accents, weatherproof LED strips, single row LED light bars, underwater lighting, and more.
Make Sure Your Trailer Is Ready to Go
Other than updating your boater registration, checking your trailer is often a forgotten step in preparing your boat for the summer. Double-check your tire pressure of your trailer tires and your spare, test your trailer lights, and make sure your car, truck, or SUV has the towing capacity to haul your boat.
If you’re planning on taking your boat on a cross-country road trip, consider upgrading your car audio. That way you can listen to your favorite music and catch up on the latest podcasts all summer long.
Get Ready for Summer With the Best Marine Audio Near You a Stereo Depot
Are you tired of listening to music through portable speakers that don’t produce enough sound to hear over the roar of your boat’s engine? Then come to Stereo Depot, where we have marine audio upgrades for every boat and budget.
To learn how we can completely customize your boat with marine audio and lighting, call our store in San Diego at (619) 514-2928, our El Cajon location at (619) 873-2210, or send us a message online. We can’t wait to make your summer amazing with upgrades and installations from Stereo Depot!